Apparatus for pulverizing mineral



R. s. DEAN ET AL I 2,339,808

APPARATUS FOR PULVERIZING MINERAL AGGREGATES Filed June 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 jni zwm Bwz'maiaflfieam 2,7072)? rass.

Dec. 13, 193. R s. DEAN ET AL APPARATUS FOR PULVERIZING MINERAL AGGREGATES Filed June 16, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ill) Patented Dec. 13, 1938 UNETED STATES- PATET OFFICE APPARATUS FOR PULVERIZING AGGREGATES Reginald S. Dean, Washington, D. 0., and John Gross, Minneapolis, Minn, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Chicago Development Gompany,

Chicago,

Application June 16, 19%,- Serial No. 73%,974

6 CM. (iii. Bit -93) tion. The present method and means may be considered as representing improvements over the disclosure made in our copending application Serial No. 612,524, filed May 20, 1932, now Patent No. 2,078,933, issued May 4, 1937.

Referring briefly to this patent, we have shown therein a method andapparatus for disintegrating minerals by subjecting the material to a preliminary process so as to produce aggregates of substantially uniform size, soaking the resulting substance in water and charging it into a sealed container which is then subjected to' heat until a relatively high pressure and temperature is de-. veloped and an equilibrium is established between vaporized and unvaporized water. This container is then suddenly opened to atmospheric pressure and the material is discharged. The water contained in the material and particularly in the pores, seams and fissures thereof is explosively converted into seam at the moment of discharge and the explosive force of the steam disrupts the material into its individual or component parts. The particular virtue of this process resides in the fact that the ore is crushed or disintegrated differentially, saving a great deal of time and labor and furnishing a superior plished. Several objects of the present invention may bementionedz' I For-example, one object has to do with the handling and explosive shattering. treatment of I ore and thelike in acontinuousprocess which may be controlled automatically or semiauto? matically o'r if desired, manually. It;is,.underbe used in all such cases where composite-materials or substances are to be reduced or disin tegrated. Of course, the paflicular field of application of this invention is to be found in the treatment and preparation of ore.

It is important in a continuous process, as intia mated above, to coordinate the feeding or supply of the raw material with the discharge or output thereof. Accordingly, another object relates .to novel means used in practising our method whereby the material is fed into the treatment apparatus in predetermined cycles. and in amounts related to the explosion cycles with concurrent release or discharge.

Another object has to do with the preparation a of the material intermediate of the supply cycle 15 material with the preparation and subsequent discharge in a continuous process of. production.

Another object is concerned with the novel construction, operation and control of a discharge valve employed in our novel. apparatus;

Still another object relates to providing a treat- 1 ment of this characterwhereby certain cumber-z some steps are eliminated which were previously thought to be indispensable. For example, a pretreatment of -the material was-considered important in the past. -0ur inventiomin'one embodiment maybe successfully-practiced for treating I dry, possibly somewhat preheated material- -1It-" will be apparent that the elimination of the pre-\ treatment, for example,-the;,pre-soaking of the ore in water, represents an important advantage;

There are several: otherobjects and features which will be brought, out-as the descriptioni.

' progresses.

The invention willnow bejdescrlbed refer;

ence to the accompanying drawlnss inwhich Fig. 1 represents an elevational-viewpf our new. explosive shatteringmachine; .;;;1'. I

.Fig. 2 is a sectional-view-ofthe machine shown. inFig. 1; andx; .1

Fig. 3 shows a-sideeleilfltiOfisOf our new, explov, .3 sion chamber and associated dischargegvalya :41:

mise y. merges raw material for treatment, its preparation and movement within the machine, and finally-its exoperations.

plosion and discharge. It should be noted that in the machine shown we have provided a special preparation chamber. However, the invention can also be practiced without such a preparation chamber, as will be explained presently. The Structure shown in the drawings is also provided with means 'for moving the material within the apparatus so as to agitate it and to convey it at the same time from a point adjacent to the supply chamber to a feed point adjacent to the-explosion chamber. Such mechanical feed or conveying of the material can be dispensed with, if desired, and gravity feed can be adopted or incorporated within the scope of the invention. The drawings merely illustrate a certain embodiment of the invention for the purpose of teaching others how to apply it but it is to be understood that the drawings as well as the following detailed description are not intended to express any limitations of the invention and the scope thereof.

Like parts will be denoted in the following description by like reference numerals throughout the drawings. Elements and parts which may be assumed to be well known will be described only when such description is required for a clear understanding-of the structure or the corresponding function. I

Referring now to the drawings, the machine shown therein comprises a charging or feed portion or chamber generally indicated by reference numeral I I. This charging portion connects with apreparation chamber, denoted by numeral l2, terminating in the feed portion l3 for feeding or conveying the treated or prepared material to the discharge end of the machine which is generally indicated by the reference numeral ll. Raw material which may be pre-treated, e. g., soaked in water, as described fully in our previously noted patent, may be fed into the machine at the flaring funnel-like part l5 shown at the top of the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2. It should be noted, however, that such; a pretreatment is-not absolutely necessary even in the case of materials which heretofore were assumed to require soaking in water prior to the explosive shattering. The material may be fed into the mechanism in dry condition, or, in certain cases, somewhat pre-heated. The manner of conveying the material to the charging funnel I5 is, generally speaking, immaterial. Of course, care should be taken in a process of continuous treatment that the supply of raw material is suitably adjusted to the operatingspeed oi the ma chine.

A valve I6 is provided adjacent to the intake or charging funnel l5 for controlling the supply The action of this valve is coordinated with the operation of the other control equipment yet to be explained. The valvemay be of the sliding type or of .another suitable -construction. A handle has been shown for actuating the valve but it is understood thatthe valve may be actuated automatically under the control of a suitable governing mechanism for coordinating the functions of the various operating parts in accordance with the requirements in any given case. The points which are to be considered for an understanding of the coordination of the charging cycle and the explosion cycle will be explained in conjunction with the. detailed description of the mechanism .rendered below.

The raw material is admitted into the charginglockor chamber ll which is provided with a butterfly valve l8. The chamber is so constructed and the apparatus of the cooperating valves is so related as to prevent the escape of steam through the charging valve Hi to the outside. A control valve IQ which may be structurally similar to the charge inlet valve l6 and which also may be subjected to the automatic control of suitable governing mechanisms is provided at the lower end of the charging chamber ll. The cycle for charging the machine with raw material, 1. e., the cycle of operation with reference to the charging chamber I1 is as follows:' The butterfly control valve l8 and the lower charge outlet valve l9 are caused to close. The charge inlet or intake portion of the machine is thus functionally isolated'or separated side is prevented. The operations of the charging chamber I! are independent of the remaining mechanism, but coordinated therewith in such a manner that all parts operate with maximum efficiency in a continuous process of production.

Referring now to the central portion of the apparatus, the preparation chamber may consist of a suitable container 2ll'which is closed at one end by means of a cap 2| and is provided at the other end with a tubular cap 22, 'forming a stuffing box closed by means of a cap nut 23 as shown. A shaft 24 carrying a sprocket drive member 25 extends through the packing in the stuffing box into the interior of the preparation chamber 20. This shaft may carry a suitable auger or screw conveyor 26, as shown in Fig. 2, for agitating the charge of raw material and for moving the same through the preparation chamber where the material is subjected to the action of steam admitted through the inlet 21. The shaft is rotated by means of the sprocket 25 which may be operated from' a suitable drive mechanism. A drain 28 is provided to permit draining of water from the preparation chamber for cleaning and for other purposes. The point where the drain is placed is disposed somewhat lower than 'the discharge end of the container 20, so that the preparation chamber may be thoroughly drained of condensed and accumulated water and precipitates if desired or necessary.

It will be apparent from the above explanations that the raw material is admitted for treat- .ment in either dry or wet condition, as the case may be, and in predeterminedsuccessive charges, which are then conveyed through the preparation chamber due to the-action of the auger' to the introduction of cold material.

auso soe J this point that pre-heating of the raw material may be desirable in certain cases. The ingress of steam into the pre-heated material will be accelerated and. too much condensation of the water will be prevented which might occur due It is also advisable to operate the machine so as to shorten the time between explosions to a minimum in order to avoid cooling the machine and resulting.

condensation.

The mechanism for conveying the treated material to the-explosion chamber will be expla ned which may be mounted on a base 34. -Themechanism for controlling the feeding ofthe treated material from the preparation chamber 20 to the explosion chamber 33 comprises a fun nel-like member dihaving a tubular extens on 36 which is slidably disposed in the lowerport on of the chamber 29 and extends slidably through the housing of valve 30 and'th-rough the upper portion of the delivery housing 3!, as is particularly indicated in Fig. 2. This delivery funnel and its tubular extension 88 represent the delivery means for conveying the treated material to the ex losion chamber. The charge of treated material is received by this funnel 3S and is delivered to the explosion chamber under the control of a mechanism comprising the movable rod 3i which carries at its lower end a delivery or feed cone member 88. The control rod 3'! extends. centrally through the movable feed funnel 3b and to the outside ,through a stufling box 39 provided on an extension 80 protruding from the preparation container 28..

The control rod 81 is shown in Fig. 2 in its delivery position. The delivery funnel $5 is in its lowermost position and free delivery of the treated material from the preparation chamber through the feed chamber 29 and through the funnel I! to the connecting member 32 (and-from there to the explosion chamber 33) ispossible.

Assuming, however. that the rod 37 is raised, the plug or cone 36 will engage the end of the tubular neck 36 of the funnel 3B and will lift. the funnel upwardly. keeping its delivery end closed. The funnel will thus be placed into the position shown in Fig. 2 in dotted lines and w ll receive the treated material as it is conveyed to the end oi the chamber 28 by the screw conveyor 28. Control valve ll is closed while the funnel 38 is being charged. It will be bbserved that this operation is again accomplished in a manner which ex cludes functional interference, i. e.. the charg ng of the delivery funnel I! with the treated material takes place while the funnel and its associated parts are functionally separated or isolated from the connecting tube 32 into the chamber inthe the remaining parts of the machine.

The feed or delivery of the treated material irom the funnel 35 to the explosion chamber 33 is preceded'by the opening oithe valve 30 so as to allow the free movement of the control rod 31 and accordingly of the delivery funnel 3536. The funnel assumes then its position shown in full lines, while the rod 31 continues its downward movement in order to remove the cone or charge oi! the treated material can then drop into the connector member 32 for delivery and feed into the explosion chamber33.

The explosion chamber is provided with a discharge valve ll connected to an operating rod 42 which extends through a stuiflng box 43 disposed on the explosion chamber housing. The valve controlrod 42 is connected to a yoke 53a which in turn is connected to .the tappet M, guided in suitable pockets 85 and .46 (indicated in Fig. 3)

' plug 38 from the end'of the funnel neck 36. The

provided imthe supports "-48. These supports may be mounted at 69-50 on the upper partof the explosion chamber housing 33. A spring 5| is provided around the post 52, between the tappet M and a suitable retaining member 53 in order to provide tension for the valve plug M. The discharge valve rod 42 is then biased in an upward direction closing the explosion chamber by means of the valve ti, as particularly shown in Hg. 2. The, valve plug may be made of hardened steel and the valve seat, cooperating with the plug, may be made of lead; The valve seat is inset and is indicated in Fig. 2 by the numeral 55.

Referring to the preceding description of thefeeding of the treated material, the valve ll at the discharge opening of the explosion chamber is closed when the treated material is discharged or fed into the explosion chamber. The feed funnel is then raised as described and valve'.30 will be closed to prepare for the explosive discharge when the feeding of the prepared material to the explosion chamber is completed. The discharge valve M of the explosion chamber will then be opened by a cam mechanism which'comprises cams such-as particularly indicated at Bil-6t in Fig. 3 which cooperate with rollers 6263 provided in the tappet 4d and adapted to engage the 'cams. It is understood, of course, that only one cam may hie-provided instead of two cams and that various other changes may be made. The form of the cams is shown in Fig. 2. These cams are carried on a shaft 64 which extends through an opening 65 in the connecting link or yoke 63a. A suitable drive which may comprise a sprocket ill or the like, as indicated in Fig. 3, may be. proautomaticaily governed by a mechan sm which coordinates the "functions of the various valves and other previously mentioned control devices.

. vided for actuating the cams. This drive may be discharge of the material is asfollows: Assuming that an explosionhas Just occurred, the cam operating mechanism rotates the cams. 6l to the the end ofthe i'unnel'neck 33 so asto allow the charge of the treated material todrop through explosion housing 33. ;The funnel plug is then raised by means of the control rod 31 and engages position shown in the drawings, thereby closing material, said supply and preparation chambers being in communication, an explosion chamber adjacent to said preparation chamber for receiving said treated material for explosively disintegrating the same and for discharging said disintegrated material, said preparation and explosion chambers being in communication, an intake control valve for sealing said supply chamher to the outside, a supply control valve for sealing said supply chamber relative to said preparation chamber, a feed control valve for sealing said preparation chamber relative to said explosion chamber, and a discharge control valve for sealing said explosion chamber to the outside, whereby material charged into the supply chamber may be maintained above atmospheric pressure throughout its passage through the said three chambers and whereby said preparation chamber may at all times be maintained at a pressure above atmospheric by closing the valves leading to the supply and explosion chambers respectively when these chambers are open to atmosphere.

2. Apparatus for explosively disintegrating minerals comprising, a supply chamber for receiving raw material, a preparation chamber adjacent to said supply chamber for treating said material, an explosion chamber adjacent to said preparation chamber for receiving said treated material for explosively disintegrating the same and for discharging said disintegrated material; an intake control valve for sealing said supply chamber to the outside, a supply control valve for sealing said supply chamber relative to said preparation chamber, a feed control valve for sealing said preparation chamber relative to said explosion chamber, a discharge control valve for sealing said explosion chamber to the outside, operating means in said preparation chamber for mechanically agitating material admitted thereto from said supply chamber and for moving said material through said preparation chamber, and feeding means associated withsaid preparation chamber for feeding prepared material thru said feed control valve to said explosion chamber.

3. Apparatus for explosively disintegrating minerals comprising, a supply chamber for receiving raw material, a preparation chamber adjacent to saidsupply chamber for treating said material, an explosion chamber adjacent to said preparation chamber for receiving said treated material for explosively disintegrating the same and for discharging said disintegrated material, an intake control valve for sealing said supply chamber to the outside, a supply control valve for sealing said supply chamber relative to said preparation chamber, a feed control valve for sealing said preparation chamber relative to said explosion chamber, a discharge control valve for sealing said explosion chamber to the outside, operating means in said preparation chamber for mechanically agitating material admitted thereto from said supply chamber and for moving said material thru said preparation chamber, means cooperating with said preparation chamber for conveying prepared material thru said feed control valve to said explosion chamber, and-means for governing the actuation of said control valves and of said operating means and'of said feeding means.

4. Apparatus for effecting the continuous explosive shattering of inorganic m'ateria'l comprising a chamber for successively receiving charges of raw material, a treating chamber serial-1y related thereto for successively preparing said charges, delivery means connected with said treating chamber for successively receiving said prepared charges, an explosion chamber, means for actuating said delivery means to feed said prepared charges successively to said explosion chamber, valve means for closing each of said chambers, and valve means cooperating with said explosion chamber for eflecting the successive exploding of said charges delivered thereto and for causing the discharge thereof; 5. In' an apparatus for explosively s'hatterin ore, a first chamber for preparing a charge of ore for. explosion, a second chamber for exploding said ore, a passageway between said chambers, a valve in said passageway, and means disposed in the passageway between said chambers for delivering said prepared charge from said first chamber to said second chamber, said means comprising a tubular movable delivery chamber, a movable plug, means for moving said plug to engage one end of said delivery member to close the same and to move said delivery member toward said first chamber to receive said charge and for then moving said plug and said delivery member toward said explosion chamber to deliver said prepared charge into said explosion chamber, said valve being closable when said delivery means is moved toward the first chamber.

6. Apparatus for disintegrating inorganic machambers whereby material may be passed from one chamber to another without material change in the pressure in said chamber, a valve closing said material receiving chamber but adapted to be opened to permit charging of material thereto, and a valve closing said discharge opening and adapted to be opened when the valve between the conditioning chamber and explosion chamber is closed whereby to permit material to be explosively discharged therethrough.

REGINALD S. DEAN. JOHN GROSS. 

